§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what surveys are being carried out of resources on the island of Banaba (Ocean Island) after phosphate mining ends;
(2) what surveys are being carried out to establish the cost of full or partial 77W restoration of Banaba (Ocean Island) after phosphate mining ends;
(3) what surveys have been carried out to establish the cost of levelling the coral pinnacles left on Banaba (Ocean Island) by phosphate mining;
(4) whether any surveys have been carried out on the cost of transporting top soil to Banaba (Ocean Island);
(5) what survey has been made of the total vegetation at present growing in the mined areas of Banaba (Ocean Island) and that which will remain in the non-mined areas after the completion of mining operations;
(6) whether the possibility of using phosphate-carrying vessels to return with top soil to Banaba (Ocean Island) has been examined.
§ Mr. LuardNo surveys of the types named have been carried out in recent years. But we have offered to finance a full resources study of Banaba in order to provide a reliable and scientifically based assessment of the island's resources for habitation and for economic development. We are awaiting a response to our offer from the Gilbert Islands' Government and the Rabi Council.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what surveys have taken place of the resources of the sea surrounding Banaba (Ocean Island) and of the sea bed.
§ Mr. LuardThere has been no recent survey by us of the resources of the sea and sea bed of this area. Some work on mineral resources in the South Pacific offshore area is being carried out under the auspices of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken to improve the supply of drinking water of Banaba (Ocean Island) which would be useful to the population after the end of phosphate mining.
§ Mr. LuardMeasures are being taken to preserve all possible existing water storage facilities on the island.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 78W Affairs if any plans have been discussed, and with whom, for the establishment of a satellite tracking station on Banaba (Ocean Island).
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of (a) Gilbertese, (b) Banabans, (c) Australians, and (d) other nationals working for the Banaba (Ocean Island) phosphate industry.
§ Mr. LuardThe British Phosphate Commission work force comprises:
- (a) 314 Gilbertese;
- (b) 15 Banabans;
- (c) 21 Australians;
- (d) 111 Tuvaluans and 15 Chinese, totallinging 476.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when employment of the Gilbertese labourers in the Banaba (Ocean Island) phosphate industry will end; and what plans have been made for their reemployment.
§ Mr. LuardThe labour force will be run down during 1979 and until mid-1980, when employment is expected to have lapsed. A re-training programme has been undertaken on Banaba and is continuing. The creation of new job opportunities in the Gilbert Islands and elsewhere will be a significant part of the Gilberts' development plan, which we shall support financially.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken to assist those Banabans living on Banaba (Ocean Island) to continue to live in their homeland after the end of phosphate mining.
§ Mr. LuardWe are awaiting the Banaban response to our offer to finance a resources study of the island. The Banabans will, in any case, inherit fixed assets, including houses and water tanks, when the British Phosphate Commission leaves the island.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what contributions were made by the Banaban community to Great 79W Britain during the 1914–18 war; what was the value of those contributions per head of the population at the time and what is the present day value of those contributions; and if these payments were taken into account in assessing the ad hoc offer of A.$10 million for wrongs done;
(2) what contributions were made by the Banaban community to Great Britain during the 1939–45 war; what was the value of those contributions per head of the population at the time and what is the present-day value of those contributions; and if these payments were taken into account in assessing the ad hoc offer of A.$10 million for wrongs done;
(3) what contributions were made by the Banaban community to the war-ravaged cities of Great Britain after the Second World War; what was the value of those contributions per head of the population at the time and what is the present-day value; and if these payments were taken into account in assessing the ad hoc offer of A.$10 million for wrongs done.
§ Mr. LuardNo official information on the value of any Banaban wartime contributions is readily available. The ex gratia offer of Australian $10 million was made in order to secure the economic future of the Banabans, after taking into account factors relevant to this objective.